John Oliver took on the mammoth task of explaining encryption and the fight between Apple and the FBI during Sunday’s “Last Week Tonight.”
Oliver often tackles difficult subjects on his show, from payday lenders to abortion. But the encryption issue is more technically complicated, while “fundamental” to our lives, he said.
The HBO host framed the conversation about encryption around the FBI vs. Apple case. Later this month, a federal judge will decide whether Apple will be compelled to create software that would allow government access to encrypted information on the iPhone of one of the San Bernardino shooters.
Many, including Oliver, say the security risks are just too great for Apple to give the FBI access.
“Think of the government as your dad,” Oliver said. “If he asks you to help him with his iPhone, be careful, because if you do it once, you’re going to be doing it 14 times a day.”
Watch below: